Development of All-Composite CNG Pressure Vessels/Polyethylene Liner Materials

摘要

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is one of the most promising fuel candidates for low emission vehicles besides Electric Vehicles.Since CNG has high pressure as upto 3,600 psi, the vessels for CNG requires not only pressure resistance but also lightness in order not to spoil the fual consumption ability and the capacity of load transportation.Firstly aluminum liner which is reinforced with CFRP by filament winding process has been developed but recently all-composite pressure vessels with plastic liner have been developed at both America and Europe.This paper describes the approach in developing all-composite pressure vessels with Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. and the introduction of Polyethylene which has been chosen as the liner material.